While I sat down to rank the top 25 MMA fighters of all-time what surprised me the most was the handful of guys that I hated leaving out. I knew there would be a few guys that just missed the cut, but I thought 25 was going to be the number where people started to separate from the pack. With MMA being a relatively new sport compared to most, I was surprised how many I had left that I felt still deserved acknowledgment. So we’ll start with the honorable mentions. The Top-25 MMA Fighters of All-Time Honorable Mentions.
MICHAEL BISPING
Bisping is an absolute legend who was the first man out of my top 25. I started by thinking he was going to be a guy that just missed it, and when it came down to final cuts, he ended up being my 26.
He had a long illustrious career. He won The Ultimate Fighter 3 to begin his UFC career. Today he is still one of the most dominate contestants from any season. Bisping won the show and began his career as a light heavyweight but soon after dropped to middleweight where he would stay.
Bisping has been a top middleweight in the mix of things for close to ten years. He went through the steroid era, and when all the steroid fighters were off the juice or out of the UFC, Michael Bisping prevailed. He had one of the greatest late-career runs of all-time. Even finally getting his shot at Anderson Silva and beating him by decision.
He worked and talked his way to finally getting a title shot that he always seemed to come up short in getting. He was booked to fight Luke Rockhold on short notice for the title, a man who already finished him in their previous fight. Bisping had his defining moment and knocked out the champion in the first round. He would defend the belt in his next fight avenging another loss by beating Dan Henderson, which gave him his 20th UFC victory, tied for the most ever. He’s now a part of the broadcasting crew which feels like a great fit. We’ll still be seeing a lot of Michel Bisping for a long time to come.
DOMINICK CRUZ
Dominick was another guy who was tough to leave off, as he made some of my early lists. In the end, he just didn’t make the cut. The recent success of TJ Dillashaw and inactivity hurt his case. He is a great fighter with an outstanding record of 22-2. You’d think with a record like that and his championship pedigree he would have been on this list, but he just missed it.
The best ability is availability, and he’s been too inactive over the years for me to think that he would not have more losses if he fought more. He was a great champion when the UFC took over the WEC and showed UFC fans guys who weigh 135 pounds can be exciting and put on outstanding fights. His story isn’t over. He may have one more run at the belt, and then maybe I’d revisit his position.
NATHAN DIAZ
I know what the people are saying about me putting mentioning Nate. “I’m not surprised MF’er.” I had to mention my man Nate Diaz. How could I not? Nate gave us the greatest fight in UFC history. He holds the record for post-fight bonuses and most strikes landed in one fight. He landed 238 strikes in a three-round fight when he dismantled Donald Cerrone.
Diaz is also fourth all-time in career strikes landed. He punches people in their face. It’s what he does. When they can’t take that, he submits them. He’s third all-time in submissions with nine. Nate Diaz is one of the most well-rounded fighters I’ve ever seen. All I can say about people who disagree is, you’re lucky I didn’t put him on the actual top 25!
CHUCK LIDDELL
That’s right, Chuck didn’t make my list. Like I said about criteria, I’m not putting anyone in for being a pioneer. Chuck was great for his time and put the UFC on the map with some vicious knockouts. He was never the best.
While he was UFC champion, the best 205-pound fighters were all in PRIDE. While he was champion, he went to Japan and fought in a PRIDE tournament where he lost to Rampage Jackson. He returned to the UFC where he remained champion. Until PRIDE was integrated into the UFC, and Rampage beat him again to win the belt this time.
Liddell was great, and had some great moments. He beat Randy Couture to win the belt and beat Tito. Those were both huge moments that helped build the UFC to what it is today, but that doesn’t make him a better fighter. Chuck, I’m sorry. I’m a huge fan, but you didn’t make the cut.
FRANK SHAMROCK
Yes, you read that right, not Ken Shamrock, his brother Frank Shamrock, some could argue, should’ve made my list. A lot of people say that he’s the first fighter ever to be a true MMA fighter mastering every part of the sport. He was champion everywhere he went, and at one time, was referred to as the greatest fighter ever by some.
Shamrock beat the great Bas Rutten in his first ever MMA fight. He was a great Pancrase fighter, the premier for MMA in the 90’s. He came to the UFC and became a champion there, and went to WEC became a champion there. Frank ended his career in StrikeForce, and you guessed it, he became champion there too. He’s one of the best pioneers for the sport, but he was also one of the greatest fighters of his time. Not seeing him fight in his prime and the time period in which he won are why he just missed my list, but hey it’s my list.
That does it for all my honorable mentions. Next article will reveal 25-21. Let’s argue!